Dhaka, Nov. 12 -- To ensure adequate supplies of key consumer goods during the upcoming holy month of Ramadan (likely to begin in mid-February 2026), Bangladesh Bank has instructed all scheduled banks to maintain the minimum possible cash margin when opening letters of credit (LCs) for the import of 10 essential commodities.

The central bank's Banking Regulations and Policy Department issued the directive on Tuesday and circulated it to the managing directors and chief executives of all scheduled banks.

As per the circular, banks have been advised to keep the required cash margin at the lowest feasible level for importing rice, wheat, onion, lentils, edible oil, sugar, chickpeas, peas, spices, and dates - based on the banker-client rela...